[rf] sectumsempra, tag: open

[SEVERUS TOBIAS SNAPE]

I'm changing inside

Severus Snape relished in the relative silence of the library. The Marauders rarely bothered him here. Perhaps it was because they weren't a studious group by nature or maybe they were afraid that Madame Pince would crack down on them (she was a rather harsh person if you happened to disobey her rules); then again, they could have just decided that the library was a sacred place or that Snape deserved at least one safe haven. Whatever the reason, Severus was thankful. Instead of working on his assignments, he was pouring over various texts about the creation of a spell. He wanted to pay the Marauders back for everything that they had done to him over the years so he was going about it in true Slytherin fashion... Sectumsempra would be his trademark curse. To cut always. It was genius. Now he only needed to test it out on a subject, preferably Potter or Black. He understood the movements; he knew the words... Everything was ready. He gave a few experimental slashes of his wand. If anyone found out that Snape was performing (or creating) such Dark Magic then he would probably face some serious consequences. He didn't care though.

[JAMES CHARLUS POTTER]

James had been in Hogwarts’ library all of twice in his life. The first time, he had released several Nifflers who had proceeded to cause a ruckus. After a detention that involved sorting books for hours on end, James had steered clear until very recently. The second time he’d set foot in the library, he had been meeting Lily for a date. In fact, she was the reason he’d decided to enter the library for a third time. He was hoping to spot her bent over a book at one of the study tables. As he moved between the bookshelves, James found himself amazed with the sheer number of books the library held. They seemed to cover every subject in existence. He was beginning to realize why Remus and Lily enjoyed spending so much time here. It was quiet, perfect for thinking. While James couldn’t see himself coming to study, he could definitely use the library as a place to sit and think. Merlin knew he needed to sort through his thoughts. But, he’d had a hard time finding a good place to do it. James, lost in thought, didn’t see the table in front of him until too late. Startled, he bent down and picked up the few pieces of parchment that had fallen. James was not generally a klutz. In fact, he was extremely coordinated. He placed the parchment back on the table and turned to their owner. James’ apology caught in his throat. A scowl appeared on his face. ”Snivelly,” he ground out. ”Can’t say I’m surprised. Continually getting in my way, you are. Quite a nuisance. I’d say a good bat-bogey hex ought to straighten you out.” James pulled his wand from the pocket of his robes, flicking it lazily. It would be easy to dodge, but he was in the mood for a chase.

[SEVERUS TOBIAS SNAPE]

i'm changing inside

Severus wasn't really paying attention to anyone around him in the library because he foolishly believed he was safe from the Marauders here. He was engrossed in his work so he didn't notice anything was amiss until he felt a bump on his desk. He glanced up and a little scowl settled upon his features as soon as he caught sight of Potter. Perfect was his first sarcastic thought, but then he seemed to brighten somewhat, which was kind of weird all things considered and surely it only spelled bad news for the Gryffindor boy. The curse... This was the target he had been looking for, delivered to him on a silver platter practically. He tilted his head slightly as he watched Potter pick up a few pieces of parchment that Snape had been scribbling on (with nothing too important written on them luckily enough) with a curious look in his otherwise dark eyes. Potter didn't seem to even realize it was him until he straightened. He couldn't help but to sigh when the other addressed him. "Potter." Severus drawled with nothing but contempt and hatred in his voice.

He couldn't say he was too surprised when Potter suddenly pulled out his wand and flicked it towards him. It was a lazy move, which Snape avoided easily without even the benefit of a spell on his side. "Getting lazy, Potter? Do you not find me challenging enough anymore?" He raised an elegant eyebrow and since his wand was already out in order to practice the motions of Sectumsempra he decided that he might as well use it. He could hold his own against one Marauder... It was when they ganged up on him that he started having problems. "Expelliarmus."

[JAMES CHARLUS POTTER]

In all honesty, James was horrified at himself. He had almost apologized to Snivelly, of all people. Two things struck him as very wrong. First of all, he did not apologize. Ever. Apologizing meant he wasn’t in complete control of the situation. James didn’t like having to wait for forgiveness. Apologies were far too close to begging for his liking. He didn’t like to feel weak. Second of all, James had never in his life come so close to being civil with Severus Snape, his archnemesis. Lily had tried, Merlin had she, but he had held steadfastly onto his hatred for the Slytherin prick. Snape was greasy, nosy (both figuratively and literally), and just plain cruel. Just because Lily couldn’t see most of those things (due to her previous friendship with Snape) didn’t mean James was going to ignore them. He was a firm believer in fighting for what was right and Snape was most certainly wrong. His curses were of a like never seen before. It was all rather suspicious, in James’ opinion. Yet, Lily was blissfully unaware of her ex-friend’s transgressions. He hung around with the wrong crowd, the future Death Eaters. He picked on the younger students. James simply wouldn’t stand for the injustice (though he frequently caused it himself).

”Who said you were ever a challenge?” He smirked, dodging Snape’s disarming spell. James was well-trained. His father, an Auror, had taught him all kinds of evasive maneuvers as well as a smattering of spells commonly used on the battlefield. James was eager to escape the walls of Hogwarts to join the good fight. ”Now, spells like that don’t make for a very exciting duel,” he drawled. ”Tarantallegra.” James actually put some effort into the spell. He didn’t expect it to hit its target, but that wasn’t its goal. James wanted Snape to move to the left. That way, he would be able to use the extra space the aisle between the bookshelves provided. ”Come on, Snivelly. Is that the best you can do?”

[SEVERUS TOBIAS SNAPE]

i'm changing inside

Severus rolled his eyes. He never really saw himself as much of a challenge either, especially when two Marauders were attacking him at once. He had always been an easy target... It wasn't fair, but that was how life had always been, particularly for him. He couldn't say that he was surprised when Potter dodged his disarming charm. Snape dodged the next spell by getting up from his chair and spinning to the left, into the aisle. He needed more room to work in, especially if they were going to duel it out here in the library. The Slytherin teen once again raised his wand; however, before he could get anything out, Madame Pince descended on the pair. "Ahem. What do you boys think you're doing?" She glared at the two, looking rather like a hawk eying a meal. "OUT!" She preceded to push them both towards the doors. They eventually made it out into the hallway. A slight smirk graced Snape's features for a moment and, as soon as Madame Pince had returned to her domain, he wasted no time in sending out one of his inventions. Levicorpus. Nonverbal spells were his specialty and particularly difficult to dodge.

[JAMES CHARLUS POTTER]

A grin spread across James’ face when Snape moved in exactly the right direction. He was just about to utter what was sure to be the spell that ended the duel when Madame Pince intervened. James groaned. It seemed that every time he entered the library, for a date or otherwise, it ended in his being kicked out. Still, he was sure he’d be back to look for Lily again tomorrow. For now, he went quietly, making sure he was in front of Snivellus. In the end, he realized he should have stayed behind the Slytherin because the very second they made it into the corridor, the boy was shooting off spells again. This time, James was caught off guard. He hadn’t heard Snape say a word, which meant he was using nonverbal magic, a cheap trick as far as James was concerned. As he was violently hoisted into the air by his ankle, he sent his own nonverbal spell towards Snape, still on the offensive even though he was at a disadvantage. Stupefy. Some people considered James to be a little full of himself. It was moments like these that proved them right. Still, no one could say James wasn’t excellent at dueling.

[SEVERUS TOBIAS SNAPE]

i'm changing inside

He felt a sudden sense of pride and accomplishment when the jinx actually hit Potter, causing the other boy to be hoisted into the air by his ankle. Snape might have even rubbed it in with a choice comment; however, before he could so much as open his mouth to deliver one, he felt the whisper of another spell. He was actually slightly impressed that Potter could still fight in such a compromising position, but there wasn't time to think about that so he pushed it away. "Protego!" He thrusted the shield between himself and the Gryffindor. "Is that the best you can do, Potter? I thought you were supposed to be good at dueling?" Severus smirked. Now he was beginning to actually enjoy the game. He gave a flick of his wand. Liberacorpus. The counter-jinx freed Potter, dropping him unceremoniously to the floor. "Sectumsempra!" He slashed his wand violently, hoping to catch Potter somehow. Even a small piece would be enough for him.

[JAMES CHARLUS POTTER]

James was furious. Never had he been so careless in a duel. He supposed he had allowed his arrogance to get the best of him. He’d underestimated Snape and that was far from okay. In sending the spell toward the greasy Slytherin, James had intended to redeem himself. Instead, he earned a sarcastic comment and a shield spell. The next thing he knew, James was crashing to the ground. There was something very different about this particular battle. Snivelly was…better, more poised, more careful. He had actually managed to hang James upside down. Growling quietly, he shifted his position on the floor, pointing his wand toward his target. However, before he even had the chance to think the spell, Snape was shouting something and then there was pain. Something had torn into his right arm. There was a wetness James knew had to be blood. For a moment, he was shocked. Snape had actually injured him. Really, physically harmed him. Even James had never gone so far as to slash someone’s wand arm. ”Only a coward uses pain to weaken their opponent,” James bit out, the pain in his arm beginning to affect him. Avis. James conjured a flock of birds. ”Oppugno!” He shouted, deciding to conserve his strength. The birds he’d conjured sped toward Snape and James had time for one triumphant smile before they attacked.

[SEVERUS TOBIAS SNAPE]

i'm changing inside

"Hah!" Victory had never tasted so sweet. "I suppose you think two against one is courageous, then." Severus replied. He made a mental note to seriously throw himself a party later. He was actually on the winning side for once. Not only had he managed to jinx the insufferable Gryffindor, but he had also injured the other as well. He did not care if Potter thought it was a dirty move. Snape was a Slytherin so of course he wasn't going to play by the rules. Anything that brought satisfaction was good enough for him... Suddenly a flock of birds appeared and sped towards him. He slashed out his wand towards them - using the Sectumsempra curse once more (only in nonverbal fashion) - but it was not enough. There were just too many of the feathered fiends. A few began pecking at him, causing Severus to flap his other arm rather uselessly. He looked like an awkward windmill or an overgrown bat with one broken wing. He had to take another step back in order to keep his balance. "Expelliarmus!" Severus wasn't taking any chances. If he couldn't disarm Potter then he would incapacitate the teen. "Stupefy!"

[JAMES CHARLUS POTTER]

James snorted. ”If you weren’t pulling dirty tricks, I could take you one-on-one any day,” he scoffed. In truth, James was horrified. How would he ever live this down? What would Padfoot say? What would Lily say? He’d promised to lay off Snape. James vaguely recalled a promise to slow down on the dueling as well. Basically, everything he was doing right now was going to get him into trouble. Not to mention, if they were caught, James would have to spend a few hours in detention with the hook-nosed little git. Still, he gave himself a mental pat on the back when the birds he’d conjured successfully forced Snape back. Now that he was taking the duel more seriously, James found more of his spells were actually hitting the Slytherin. He was prepared when Snivelly began to shoot spells at random. ”Protego!” The Shielding Charm worked well. James finally managed to pick himself off the ground, cradling his right arm, wand still pointed toward Snape. ”Not so confident now, Snivelly! Still think you can beat me?” James smirked, watching the other boy flail uselessly. ”Densaugeo!” Fully prepared for an attack, James watched and waited for Snape’s teeth to begin to grow.